Irradiated food is safer, but unpopular
Microwaving salad fixings with just a bit of radiation can kill dangerous E. coli and other bacteria — and U.S. food safety experts say Europe’s massive outbreak shows that wary consumers should give the long-approved step a chance.
The U.S. government has OK’d irradiation for a variety of foods — meat, spices, certain imported fruits, the seeds used to grow sprouts. Even iceberg lettuce and spinach can be irradiated without the leaves going limp. And no, it does not make the food radioactive.
But sterilized leafy greens are not on the market, and overall sales of irradiated foods remain low. A disappointed U.S. Grocery Manufacturers Association says one reason is that sellers worry about consumer mistrust.
“We need to do whatever we can to give us a wider margin of safety,” said Dr. Michael Osterholm, a
While the E. coli outbreak in Europe has waned after officials discovered the culprit was sprouts, the
How irradiation works
The outbreaks have renewed interest in higher-tech fixes like irradiation, used in certain foods in the
The Food and Drug Administration approved irradiation for raw spinach and lettuce three years ago, saying it safely killed germs and lengthened shelf life without harming texture, taste or nutrients.
But it didn’t catch on, and the grocery producers group, which wants more salad ingredients approved for irradiation, blames both consumer wariness and a technical issue. Some of the bags the greens are sold in need approval to be zapped, too.
Irradiated meat has been around for years, particularly ground beef that is a favorite hiding spot for E. coli. Thorough cooking kills E. coli and other germs, but people don’t always cook their meat until it’s done enough.
About 15 million to 18 million pounds of
Spices and imported produce zapped
Actually, Americans get more irradiated foods than they realize. About a third of commercial spices — the kind added to processed foods — are irradiated, said Eustice, who’s also a consultant to the Food Irradiation Processing Alliance.
About 30 million pounds of imported produce, mostly fruits such as guavas and mangos, get a low-dose zap — not enough to kill germs but to kill any foreign insects along for the ride.
As for those seeds used to grow recall-prone raw sprouts, Eustice says irradiation has not caught on for them either, despite government research backing it. Some growers instead try washing seeds in a mild bleach solution.
The newest irradiated product is pet treats, about 40 million pounds and counting, Eustice said. It’s to combat the problem of salmonella-tainted dog chews.
Irradiation is not an excuse for dirty produce, Osterholm said. It is far better to prevent contamination on the farm or in the processing plant than to try to get rid of it later. But it’s impossible to prevent all animal-borne bacteria in open fields.
There is no reason to fear irradiation but there’s no easy solution, cautioned food-safety expert Caroline Smith DeWaal of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Irradiation does not kill viruses that also sometimes taint food, and it adds to the food’s price. She said consumers’ biggest desire is to make cleaner food in the first place.
Nor is irradiation the only high-tech option. Scientists also are trying high-pressure treatment to literally squeeze away germs. It’s been used for fresh guacamole and raw oysters. Earlier this year, beef giant Cargill Inc. announced it was using the technology for a longer-lasting hamburger patty. — AP